SENIOR HOUSE OFFICERS AND REGISTRARS WORKING IN PUBLIC

HOSPITALS FOR 5 CONSECUTIVE YEARS*

PERMISSION TO CHANGE IMMIGRATION STATUS

In order to streamline the immigration arrangements for non-EEA doctors, the following
procedure is being put in place.

Effective from 23 September 2013 Senior House Officers and Registrars who have been
lawfully resident and employed in public hospitals* in the State for at least five consecutive
years (60 months), inclusive of internship year, may apply for a change of immigration
permission from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4.

Eligible doctors should present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau in order to seek
this change of immigration permission if they so wish. An application may be made
regardless of the expiry date of the current immigration permission held.

The following documents must be made available to the Registration Officer for inspection:
- valid passport;
- up to date Certificate of Medical Council Registration;
- current contract of employment as SHO/Registrar;
- P60s covering the previous two years employment.

Change of immigration permission and new registration requires payment of the appropriate
registration fee.

Successful applicants will be granted immigration permission Stamp 4 for one year (12
months). This permission will apply from the date of registration regardless of the expiry date
of the previously held permission. It will be renewable on an annual basis thereafter
dependent on the applicant fulfilling all immigration and employment criteria.

A change of immigration permission will not be granted where the SHO/Registrar has not
already accumulated five consecutive years (60 months) employment (inclusive of internship
year) in these positions.

It is recognised that there will be cases where an applicant has some short gaps in his/her
immigration registration over the five year (60 months) period. Whilst some tolerance will be
allowed in this matter please note that:
- no one gap may be in excess of 3 months (90 days);
- gaps may not exceed 12 months in total over the 5 year (60 months) period.

Should an applicant be refused Stamp 4 immigration permission, the person concerned may
write to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, General Immigration Division,
13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 seeking a review of his/her case. Each case will be assessed on
its own merits and the Ministers decision will be final.

Doctors holding an Employment Permit are subject to such conditions as are currently in
place.

* A term of employment in private hospitals in these postings, for which a Work Permit is
required, will also be taken into consideration.

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service

13 September 2013